Cathedral tops Roncalli for regional title

Cathedral baseball's Jared Poland and Tommy Kafka talk about Poland's early runs against Roncalli and gearing up for the IHSAA state baseball tournament, after becoming regional champions in a 5-2 win, June 5, 2017.
Jenna Watson/IndyStar

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The Cathedral Fighting Irish form a dog pile on the diamond after beating Roncalli 5-2, to finish their season undefeated and advance to the state tournament, at Decatur Central High School, Indianapolis, Monday, June 5, 2017.(Photo11: Jenna Watson/IndyStar)Buy Photo

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The Cathedral Fighting Irish form a dog pile on the diamond after beating Roncalli 5-2, to finish their season undefeated and advance to the state tournament, at Decatur Central High School, Indianapolis, Monday, June 5, 2017. Jenna Watson/IndyStar

Roncalli Rebels Jacob Wormann (4) is unable to tag Cathedral Fighting Irish Evan Uhland (30) at home base, as he scores a run in the sixth inning of regional finals action between Cathedral and Roncallli, at Decatur Central High School, Indianapolis, Monday, June 5, 2017. Cathedral finished their season undefeated, beating Roncallli 5-2 to become regional champions. Jenna Watson/IndyStar

Cathedral Fighting Irish Mack Murphy (20) runs into home in the second inning of regional finals action between Cathedral and Roncallli, at Decatur Central High School, Indianapolis, Monday, June 5, 2017. Jenna Watson/IndyStar

The Roncalli Rebels celebrate two runs in the fourth inning during regional finals action between Cathedral and Roncallli, at Decatur Central High School, Indianapolis, Monday, June 5, 2017. Jenna Watson/IndyStar

Cathedral Fighting Irish Colten Panaranto (16) celebrates at first after a hit that led to two runs in the fourth inning of regional finals action between Cathedral and Roncallli, at Decatur Central High School, Indianapolis, Monday, June 5, 2017. Jenna Watson/IndyStar

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Roncalli (19-8-1), the defending 4A champ, advanced to the regional final with a roster rebuilt after massive graduation losses.

“If you told me, after graduating 10 and building a team of basically all sophomores and juniors, that we’d be back at this point with a shot, not to mention without our No. 3 and 4 pitchers due to injury, that’s a heck of a job by our team,” Roncalli coach Aaron Kroll said.

Jared Poland made Roncalli starting pitcher Colten Panaranto pay for back-to-back walks in the first inning with a two-run triple.

“We knew we were facing a good pitcher, so we tried to be patient and get guys on base,” Freije said. “Those runs really helped our confidence.”

Down 3-0, Roncalli loaded the bases to start the fourth. Panaranto followed with a two-run single, but Cathedral got three straight outs to prevent further damage.

“If we get a hit there and tie it or go up, maybe it’s different. I don’t know,” Kroll said.

After a balk put runners on second and third in the sixth, Evan Uhland came home on a wild pitch and Kevin Flood followed with an RBI single for the final margin.

Cathedral pitcher Jack Phillips gave up three hits and three walks and struck out five in six-plus innings, then gave way to sidearm hurler Tommy Kafka, who ended Roncalli’s season in the seventh.“We knew coming into the season that pitching would be a strength,” Freije said. “Tonight it was Jack and Tommy K.’s turn. They showed real composure.”The Irish now sit two wins from a state crown and undefeated season.“These kids have been phenomenal,” said Freije, a 1999 Cathedral grad who played for longtime Irish coach and 500-game winner Rich Andriole. “Our goal wasn’t necessarily to win them all, but to go out and compete, and that’s what they’ve done.”